Former Facebook executive Ben Lightfoot joins Ogilvy, Brisbane in the role of managing director

Former Facebook executive and highly experienced communications specialist, Ben Lightfoot (centre) has been appointed managing director, Ogilvy Brisbane, as the agency moves into its next phase of business growth.

With more than 20 years' experience within marketing and communications, Lightfoot has worked with large multi-nationals, boutique independents and small start-ups around the world, and most recently within the APAC team at Facebook as head of large advertiser marketing.

Ogilvy Australia CEO David Fox said appointing Lightfoot, with his broad
experience across technology, creative and management, was part of a
push to future-proof the agency and continue its focus on innovation and
digital integration.

Says Fox: "Ben's background with Facebook
is ideally placed to take Ogilvy Brisbane into its next phase of growth,
and matches the focus other Ogilvy offices have had in relation to
digital, strategy, media and creative.

"He's also one of few
within our industry to hold senior roles in both creative and management
across brand, retail, direct and digital. Having someone of his
calibre and broad experience makes him the ideal candidate to take our
Queensland presence to the next level."

Fox
said following the 18 months of integrating the Brisbane office into
the broader Ogilvy family, Vine was keen to move on and find his next
challenge and would be handing the reins over to Lightfoot to foster
further growth, effective immediately.

Says Fox: "Russ has been a
committed leader and we wish him all the very best for the future. He
leaves Ogilvy Brisbane in good shape and firmly integrated into the
broader Ogilvy Australia structure and we thank him for his commitment.

"To
be successful in business you must move with change; now is the right
time for expansion to ensure Ogilvy meets the changing requirements of
the Brisbane market and under Ben's new leadership we are excited
about what the future holds for the team."

Internationally
awarded for both strategy and creativity, Lightfoot brings broad
international experience to the role. For the past seven years he has
been based in Asia where he was CEO of McCann Worldgroup Singapore, and
Group CEO of Publicis Advertising and Saatchi & Saatchi Indonesia,
before joining Facebook.

He has also been championing the message
of effectiveness as chairman and head of jury for Singapore, APAC &
Global Effies since 2010.

Says Lightfoot of the new role: "I'm
incredibly excited to be joining Ogilvy Brisbane as well as the wider
Ogilvy Australia team. Right from the beginning of our discussions I
have been really impressed with the way that Foxy and the Australian
leadership team are challenging business structure, culture, best
practice as well as embedding technology into the way they partner with
their clients to address the needs of the business.

"With the
strong relationships already in place with Queensland Government as well
as the new partnerships that are forming through recent wins, I'm
looking forward to bringing the experience of my last few years to build
on what is already a very strong team."

Lightfoot starts at the Brisbane office immediately, reporting to David Fox.